Part of any home maintenance schedule should be to change the furnace filter regularly -- and particularly as the winter heating season gets under way.

But which is better for your furnace and your health -- a washable, reusable electrostatic filter or a disposable filter?

That's what reader GB of Muskegon wants to know.

"We have been using a reusable filter for 20 years.... I used to
wash them and spray them with a hose to clean them almost every month.

"We
just had our new furnace inspected. They tested the furnace on both
sides of the reusable filter inline, then retested it with a disposable
filter. (The disposable filter) had better numbers.

"It was recommended we don't use the reusable filter, and to buy monthly disposable filters.

"Would you tell me the pros and cons .... ?"

Reusable electrostatic filters have a static charge that attracts dust,
pollen, mold, pet dander, smoke and other small particles. Disposable
filters are typically made of fiberglass or fibers that trap particulate
matter. In addition, there are electronic air cleaners -- separate
units that use an electrical field to trap particles.

A washable, electrostatic air filter offers some distinct advantages over disposable filters -- and some distinct disadvantages.

Pros

Although they cost more initially, reusable electrostatic filters are cheaper over the long haul. You'll save money.

Many reusable electrostatic filters have a lifetime guarantee. You won't need to buy another one.

You'll have to make trips to the store to purchase disposable filters, requiring time and gasoline.

Reusable
electrostatic filters are healthy for the environment. Disposable
filters provide a steady supply of waste to the landfill.

Electrostatic
filters are designed to capture tiny particles that can aggravate
allergies and asthma. Basic panel fiberglass filters are designed simply
to protect your ventilation system -- not the air in your home -- by
minimizing dust on the fan and heating and cooling coils.

Cons

You
can buy disposable electrostatic filters that are just as effective as
reusable electrostatic filters. You can also buy other higher-efficiency
disposable filters that capture more particulate matter than a standard
fiberglass filter.

Reusable electrostatic filters are easy to
hose off outdoors in warm weather, but in winter, you'll have to clean
them indoors in the tub or shower, then rinse and let dry.

The
furnace must be shut off while you clean the filter, so the indoor
temperature might temporarily drop in cold weather. To prevent this, you
might want a second filter.

Reusable electrostatic filters cost more initially.

Molds can grow on reusable filters if they're not dry before you reinstall them.

To buy a reusable electrostatic filter, you may have to special-order it from a heating and cooling professional.

Whether you choose a washable, electrostatic filter or a disposable filter, the American Lung Association recommends getting the highest efficiency filter that works with your furnace.

A filter's efficiency is indicated by its MERV (minimum efficiency
reporting value) rating. The higher the MERV number, the greater the
percentage of particles captured, so the higher the MERV rating, the
better.

No matter which type of filter
you use, it should be regularly replaced -- or cleaned if it's the
reusable kind -- to ensure proper air flow and peak efficiency.

If
you're still in doubt, use the type of filter your furnace manufacturer
recommends. Since your furnace was designed for that particular kind of
filter, that's the kind that should work best.

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